Kennel Club Good Citizens Bronze, Silver and Gold

Bronze Award

The Bronze Award is the first level of training following on from Puppy Courses or for dogs over the age of 20 weeks. The Course follows the content of the Kennel Club Good Citizens Scheme, meaning that the Course is structured and has set exercises that should be achieved by the end of the Course. We will also include additional content such as target and movement work. At the end of 8 weeks, there will be the option to enroll for an additional 2 weeks to take the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Bronze award. More details of the Bronze scheme can be found by CLICKING HERE

How long is the Course?

The Course runs for 8 weeks with each session lasting for 1 hour. Weeks 1 to 6 are training excercises. Week 7 is a "Dummy" examination to see how the Dogs get on and then work on any problem areas. Week 8 is the examination. The examination will be led by a Trainer / examiner who has not previously taught the group.
The lessons will take place at the same time and venue each week (unless you are notified in advance by one of the training team).

How many Dogs and Instructors are there?

Our courses are limited to small groups and where possible will be made up of dogs of a similar age and ability, although everyone works at their own pace. The more practice you put in at home between the lessons, the more you will get out of the course. We provide easy to follow help sheets each week that assist with training practice in-between lessons. There are 2 Little Orchard trainers per lesson ensuring that kind training and good advice is always available.

Some of the elements in the Bronze Good Citizens Dog Scheme:

Walking your dog to heel on lead

Walking your dog around distractions

Recalling your dog

A one minute stay

Walking through a doorway under control

Examining and grooming your dog

Being able to remove and fit your dogs walking equipment

Questions on being a responsible dog owner

As well as teaching the elements required for the Bronze Examination, we also include an introduction to clicker training, food manners, play, gaining attention, trick training, down and stand positions.

We use the clicker training for all courses from Bronze Level onwards. We demonstrate how it encourages your dog to learn and be positive about their training, giving you better results.

Silver Level Training

This is the second level of training, which is designed to follow on from the Bronze Course.

The elements involved in the Silver Good Citizens Dog scheme:

Walking to heel outside

Recall your dog from 10 strides away

Calling your dog away from distractions

Play with your dog

Stay for two minutes

Safely getting your dog in and out of the car

A stranger examining your dog (as the vet or groomer would)

Food manners whilst you are eating

Questions on being a responsible owner

During the Silver Course we train you in the required elements as well as working on more advanced training in off lead heelwork, trick training, increased attention and being able to train using less frequent food rewards. More details of the Bronze scheme can be found by CLICKING HERE

Gold Level Training

This is the third level of training, which follows on from the Silver Course.

The elements involved in the Gold Good Citizens Dog Scheme:

Walking to heel outside with changes in pace and direction

Walking at heel off lead

A recall

Sending the dog to a mat or bed

Stopping your dog for an emergency situation

Leaving food and only taking it when asked

Examination of your dog by a stranger (as the vet or groomer would)

A 2 minute stay with the handler out of sight for 30 seconds.

Your dog must be relaxed when left in isolation in a room on its own

Questions on being a responsible dog owner

During the Gold Course we train you in the required elements as well as working on more advanced training in off lead heelwork, increased attention and being able to train using less frequent food rewards. The Gold Training requires a lot more practice away from the sessions, as there is a big jump up from Silver to Gold in the standard required.

Testing rules and Conditions

The Kennel Club list a number of conditions that we must meet in order to hold Good Citizen Courses. Likewise, they list a stringent set of guidelines that all examiners must adhere to when conducting tests. At Little Orchard we have a strict policy to follow the guidelines, which will be explained, to everyone before the test day.